Ex-Miss America announces Ill. congressional run

Former Miss America Erika Harold, 33, announces Tuesday her plans to challenge first-term U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis in the 2014 Republican primary at Urbana High School in Urbana. Harold grew up the Illinois city and recently moved back. She was Miss America is 2003. (AP Photo/The News-Gazette, John Dixon)

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

URBANA – A 33-year-old former Miss America says she plans to challenge first-term U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis in the 2014 Republican primary.

Erika Harold announced her campaign Tuesday at Urbana High School. She grew up the Illinois city and recently moved back there.

Harold says her priorities will be promoting conservative principles and encouraging economic growth and says she believes she can help expand the party's voting base and reach people who don't traditionally vote Republican.

Meanwhile, Davis lamented that just five months after he took office the next campaign has begun. He said in an email that he'll continue working on key issues such as the national debt.

Harold was Miss America is 2003. The Harvard graduate's an attorney at a Champaign law firm.